Garments for supporting leg guards and leg protecting garments

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure is directed to garments for supporting leg guards and configured to be worn over at least a portion of a leg of a user. Garments may include an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer extends away from a lower portion of a user&#39;s leg and encloses an interior. The inner layer may be disposed within the interior of the outer layer and secured to the outer layers proximate the lower portion of the leg of the user. In some examples, the outer layer and the inner layer cooperate to define a sheath sized to receive at least a portion of a leg guard. Some examples define socks for supporting soccer shin guards. Some examples define leg protecting garments including leg guards removably disposed at least partially within sheaths.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to garments for supporting leg guards. In particular, garments configured to removably support leg guards proximate a portion of a user's leg are described.

Known garments for supporting leg guards are not entirely satisfactory for the range of applications in which they are employed. For example, existing garments do not provide sufficient support leg guards in a substantially stable vertical position.

As a specific example, many soccer players prefer to wear strapless shin guards during play. A common conventional method of wearing strapless shin guards involves simply placing a strapless shin guard in the interior of a knee-high soccer sock. While the sock may retain the shin guard proximate a user's leg, it does nothing to stably retain the shin guard in a proper vertical position. As a result, this conventional method is ineffective at supporting a shin guard in a proper vertical position.

The art has produced some examples of compressive sleeves configured fit around strapless shin guards in addition to a wearer's sock. These approaches have many shortcomings, particularly requiring the player to carry and keep track of an additional piece of equipment. Further, these approaches place no barrier between the shin guard and the wearer's leg, which may be uncomfortable and does nothing to control sweat or other moisture that develops between the shin guard and the wearer's leg.

Particular attention is paid to the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,791 to Woodson et al. (“Woodson”) which is hereby incorporated by reference. This approach is ineffective for several reasons.

First, the Woodson sock is not designed to support leg guards. Rather, the Woodson sock is configured for storing small items. As described below, the Woodson sock is ill-suited for supporting leg guards, even if it were misapplied for that purpose.

Second, the inner layer of the Woodson sock extends to a position above the outer layer. This design is problematic for a number of reasons. For example, Woodson's sock requires a more complex method for inserting and removing stored items from between Woodson's outer and inner layers of the Woodson sock.

Woodson requires folding the inner layer over the outer layer to support contained items. Folding requires the user to take an additional step after inserting items into the storage area between Woodson's inner and outer layers. An opposite additional step must be taken when removing items, as well.

Further, the Woodson sock would not adequately support the top portion of leg guards. Only the outer, shorter layer of the Woodson Sock is compressive, which would leave the top portion of a leg guard unsupported. Folding the inner layer over the top portion of a shin guard would not provide adequate support because the inner layer of the Woodson sock is not compressive.

Thus, there exists a need for garments for supporting leg guards and leg protecting garments that improve upon and advance other designs in the art. Examples of new and useful garments for supporting leg guards and leg protecting garments relevant to the needs existing in the field are discussed below.

Disclosure addressing one or more of the identified existing needs is provided in the detailed description below. Additional examples of references relevant to garments for supporting leg guards and leg protecting garments include U.S. Patent References: U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,817, U.S. Patent Application No. 2011/0289656, U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,126, U.S. Design Pat. No. D395,158, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2008/0244801. The complete disclosures of the above patents and patent applications are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to garments for supporting leg guards and configured to be worn over at least a portion of a leg of a user. Garments may include an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer extends away from a lower portion of a user's leg and encloses an interior. The inner layer may be disposed within the interior of the outer layer and secured to the outer layers proximate the lower portion of the leg of the user. In some examples, the outer layer and the inner layer cooperate to define a sheath sized to receive at least a portion of a leg guard. Some examples define socks for supporting soccer shin guards. Some examples define leg protecting garments including leg guards removably disposed at least partially within sheaths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a garment supporting a leg guard.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the garment shown in FIG. 1 with an outer layer of the garment in a pulled-down configuration.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the garment shown in FIG. 1 with a cutaway displaying interior features of the garment.

FIG. 4 is a magnified view of a portion of the cutaway shown in FIG. 3 showing additional details of the displayed features.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the garment shown in FIG. 1 with an outer layer of the garment in a pulled-down configuration showing a leg guard in position to be sheathed within the garment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative example of a garment for supporting leg guards, the garment including lateral support members.

FIG. 7 is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative example of a garment for supporting leg guards, garment including a second inner layer defining a second sheath.

FIG. 8 is a magnified view of a portion of the cutaway shown in FIG. 7 showing additional details of the displayed features.

FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view of an alternative example of a garment for supporting leg guards, the garment including a second inner layer defining a second sheath.

FIG. 10 is a magnified view of a portion of the cutaway shown in FIG. 9 showing additional details of the displayed features.

FIG. 11 is a magnified view of a portion of the cutaway shown in FIG. 9 showing additional details of the displayed features.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative example of a garment for supporting leg guards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed garments will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various garments are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

With reference to FIGS. 1-5, a first example of a garment for supporting a leg guard, garment 100, will now be described. Garment 100 functions to support a leg guard on a user's lower leg. Athletes, such as soccer players, hockey players, or martial art competitors, may wear garment 100 to protect their legs during athletic undertakings.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a leg guard, leg guard 192, which defines a strapless soccer shin guard. Leg guards need not match the design of strapless soccer shin guard shown in FIG. 5. Indeed, disclosed garments are equally adaptable to retaining additional or alternative leg guards proximate a user's shin, such as cushions, pads, or other protective implements.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, garment 100 extends from a foot portion 102 to a leg portion 130. As FIGS. 3 and 4 show, garment 100 defines a sheath 190 in leg portion 130. As FIG. 3 shows, sheath 190 is positioned to support leg guard 192 proximate a user's shin when a user has inserted his foot within foot portion 102. As FIG. 1 shows, sheath 190 is shaped and sized to stably support leg guard 192 in a proper position protecting a user's shin.

Garment 100 further includes elastic materials configured to compress around leg guard 192. The compressive force of the elastic materials and the positional stability provided by sheath 190 allow garment 100 to support a leg guard proximate a user's leg more securely and elegantly than many currently existing solutions.

As FIG. 1 shows, foot portion 102 is substantially similar to the foot portion of many conventional socks. Like the foot portions of many conventional socks, foot portion 102 is configured to receive the foot of a user when the user wears garment 100.

As FIG. 3 illustrates, foot portion 102 is sized and shaped to position the junction between foot portion 102 and leg portion 130 at a location just above the user's ankle. By positioning the junction between foot portion 102 and leg portion 130 at such a predetermined location, garment 100 is able to provide a lower vertical support for leg guard 192 at a selected location. By providing a lower vertical support, garment 100 is able to stably support leg guard 192 in a proper position.

In other examples, the junction between the foot portion and the leg portion is at a different position relative the ankle. By adjusting this junction to different vertical positions, a wearer may adjust a supported leg guard to higher and lower positions on the wearer's leg.

As FIG. 1 shows, leg portion 130 extends from foot portion 102 away from a wearer's foot and toward a wearer's knee. As FIGS. 1 and 3 show, leg portion 130 includes an outer layer 140 and an inner layer 170. Leg portion 130 extends from foot portion 102 at a position just above a wearer's ankle. The point at which foot portion 102 meets leg portion 130 is substantially aligned with a lower portion of the wearer's shin.

As FIG. 3 illustrates, outer layer 140 and inner layer 170 cooperate to define sheath 190. As FIG. 3 shows, outer layer 140, inner layer 170, and foot portion 102 are all joined together at substantially the same location. The bottom of sheath 190 is defined by the junction between foot portion 102 and leg portion 130. As a result, adjusting the position at which leg portion 130 and foot portion 102 meet correspondingly adjusts the position at which leg guard 192 is supported on a wearer's leg.

As FIG. 3 shows, outer layer 140 extends from foot portion 102 and defines a substantially uniform construction with foot portion 102. Outer layer 140 extends away from a lower portion of a wearer's leg proximate foot portion 102 and toward an upper portion of the wearer's leg proximate the wearer's knee. Outer layer 140 extends circumferentially around the leg of a wearer to define an interior 142. As FIG. 3 illustrates, outer layer 140 includes a lower portion 144 and an upper portion 146.

Outer layer 140 provides sheath 190 with an exterior bound. Outer layer 140 is additionally made of a flexible, elastic material. By bounding sheath 190 with an elastic material, outer layer 140 applies a compressive force that pushes a leg guard retained in sheath 190 toward a wearer's shin. Additionally, outer layer 140's flexibility allows it to be adjusted to fit snugly around a leg guard to apply a substantially even compressive force across the leg guard's surface.

As FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate, outer layer 140 is configured to be adjusted between a pulled-up configuration and a pulled-down configuration. As FIG. 1 shows, outer layer 140 is configured to fit around a user's shin when in the pulled-up configuration. In some cases, wearers may place outer layer 140 in the pulled-up configuration when initially fitting garment 100 over his leg.

From the pulled-up configuration, the wearer may pull outer layer 140 downward and over foot portion 102 to a pulled-down configuration. As FIG. 2 illustrates, inner layer 170 is exposed when outer layer 140 is in a pulled-down configuration. As FIG. 5 shows, a leg guard may be engaged with inner layer 170 and partially supported in sheath 190 when outer layer 140 is in the pulled-down configuration. The wearer may then pull outer layer 140 upward to return it to a pulled-up configuration to close sheath 190 around an inserted leg guard.

As FIG. 3 illustrates, lower portion 144 extends from foot portion 102 toward a wearer's leg. As FIG. 3 shows, lower portion 144 extends above the top of leg guard 192.

Lower portion 144 defines a substantially consistent coefficient of elasticity across its entire area. As a result, lower portion 144 is configured to compress against leg guard 192 with a predetermined amount of compressive force.

As FIG. 3 shows, upper portion 146 extends from the top of lower portion 144. As FIG. 3 illustrates, upper portion 146 extends circumferentially around a wearer's leg above leg guard 192.

Like lower portion 144, upper portion 146 defines a substantially consistent coefficient of elasticity across its entire area. The coefficient of elasticity of upper portion 176, however, is greater than that of lower portion 144. As a result, upper portion 146 is configured to apply a predetermined amount of compressive force to a user's leg that remains more tightly engaged with a user's leg than the top of lower portion 144. As a result, upper portion 146 provides a barrier that restricts leg guard 192 from inadvertently vertically shifting above upper portion 146 and inadvertently escaping out of sheath 190. Accordingly, upper portion 146 provides an upper vertical support configured to provide vertical support to leg guard 192 without requiring the user to perform any additional steps beyond inserting leg guard 192 in sheath 190.

As FIG. 3 illustrates, outer layer 140 extends to a higher point on a wearer's leg than inner layer 170. This configuration provides numerous benefits. For example, outer layer 140 defines a barrier with a wearer's leg at a position over inner layer 170 and, in some examples, the top of leg guard 192. This barrier provides additional vertical support to leg guard 192 by substantially trapping leg guard 192 within sheath 190. Upper portion 146's increased elasticity increases the efficacy of this barrier.

Further, because outer layer 140 extends beyond inner layer 170, outer layer 140 is configured to extend over the entirety of a leg guard, including leg guards that extend greater lengths than inner layer 170. Because outer layer 140 extends over the entirety of a leg guard, outer layer 140 substantially maximizes the area over which compressive force is applied to leg guard 192. By substantially maximizing this area of compressive force, garment 100 is better able to support leg guard 192 proximate a wearer's leg.

As FIG. 2-4 show, inner layer 170 is connected to outer layer 140 proximate the point that leg portion 130 meets foot portion 102. As FIG. 2 shows, inner layer 170 includes stitching 172, lower portion 174, and upper portion 176. As FIG. 2 illustrates, inner layer 170 is connected to outer layer 140 by elastic stitching 172. As FIG. 2 further illustrates, inner layer 170 extends upward from outer layer 140 to a point below upper portion 146. As FIG. 3 shows, inner layer 170 is located wholly within interior 142.

As FIG. 3 shows, inner layer 170 cooperates with outer layer 140 to define sheath 190. As FIG. 3 shows, sheath 190 is configured to support the bottom of leg guard 192 fitted within the portion of sheath 190 proximate where inner layer 170 and outer layer 140 meet. When leg guard 192 is fitted within sheath 190 at this lower point, the connection between inner layer 170 and outer layer 140 provides vertical support to leg guard 192. As a result, sheath 190 is configured to support leg guard 192 at a substantially stable vertical position covering a wearer's shin.

As FIG. 5 shows, inner layer 170 extends circumferentially around a wearer's leg. As FIG. 5 illustrates, inner layer 170 is made of a soft fabric material. Because inner layer 170 is made of a soft material, inner layer 170 provides a cushioned barrier between leg guard 192 and a wearer's leg. The cushioning may provide improved comfort during use. In particular, cushioning may provide particular benefit when supporting leg guards that define uncomfortable, rigid, pinching, or otherwise awkwardly shaped elements.

Inner layer 170 is additionally made of a non-abrasive material, defining a nylon fabric in the present example. By positioning a non-abrasive material between leg guard 192 and a wearer's leg, inner layer 170 provides greater comfort than a configuration with leg guard 192 rubbing directly against the wearer's leg. In some examples, inner layers may define a mildly abrasive surface on its interior, exterior, or both. Providing a mildly abrasive material may help retain leg guards in a stable position.

Inner layer 170 is made of a porous material, defining a mesh fabric in the present example. Inner layer 170's porosity encourages air flow between leg guard 192 and a wearer's leg. The resulting air flow may reduce the amount of sweat developed on a wearer's shin when wearing leg guard 192. Additionally or alternatively, inner layer 170's porosity may wick moisture away from a wearer's shin to reduce the amount of sweat accumulated during use.

Inner layer 170 may define a coefficient of elasticity, in either or both of lower portion 174 and upper portion 176, selected to encourage inner layer 170 to remain engaged with a user's leg as outer layer 140 is adjusted to a pulled-down configuration. To achieve this functionality, the coefficient of elasticity of inner layer 170 may be, for example, greater than the coefficient of elasticity of both lower portion 144 and upper portion 146 of outer layer 140.

As FIG. 2 shows, lower portion 174 extends substantially upward from outer layer 140 to upper portion 176. As FIG. 2 shows, lower portion 174 is configured to extend circumferentially around a wearer's leg when wearing garment 100. Lower portion 174 defines a coefficient of elasticity selected to compress lower portion 174 tightly engaged with a user's leg.

As FIG. 2 shows, upper portion 176 extends substantially upward from lower portion 174. As FIG. 2 shows, upper portion 176 is configured to extend circumferentially around a wearer's leg when wearing garment 100. Upper portion 176 defines a coefficient of elasticity that is greater than the coefficient of elasticity of lower portion 174. Because upper portion 176 defines a greater coefficient of elasticity than lower portion 174, upper portion 176 compresses more tightly around a user's leg than lower portion 174. Because upper portion 176 is tighter than lower portion 174, upper portion 176 restricts leg guard 192 from being inadvertently inserted between inner layer 170 and a wearer's shin. As a result, upper portion 176 guides leg guard 192 to within sheath 190 when inserted through upper portion 176.

As FIG. 3 shows, inner layer 170 and outer layer 140 cooperate to define sheath 190 between them. Sheath 190 is specifically sized to vertically receive a sufficient amount of a leg guard to retain the leg guard in a substantially stable position.

Outer layer 140 defines a coefficient of elasticity, in either lower portion 144 or upper portion 146, configured to compress around leg guard 192. By compressing around leg guard 192, outer layer 140 helps retain leg guard in a substantially stable, fixed position within sheath 190.

Alternatively stated, sheath 190 defines one or more coefficients of elasticity to produce a compressive force approximating a predetermined magnitude for receiving a leg guard and being worn on a wearer's leg. This predetermined magnitude is selected to retain the leg guard in a substantially stable, fixed position over the user's shin.

As FIG. 5 illustrates, leg guard 192 defines a strapless soccer shin guard. Leg guards need not match the design of strapless soccer shin guard shown in FIG. 5. Indeed, disclosed garments are equally adaptable to retaining additional or alternative leg guards proximate a user's shin, such as cushions, pads, or other protective implements.

With reference to FIG. 6, an additional or alternative example of a leg protecting garment, garment 200, will now be described. Garment 200 shares many similar or identical features with garment 100. As a result, this disclosure does not redundantly describe each and every feature of garment 200 in detail. Rather, the reader should reference the discussion of garment 100 and other disclosed garments for details of common features between garment 200 and other disclosed garments.

As FIG. 6 shows, garment 200 includes an outer layer 240 and inner layer 270 that cooperate to define a sheath 290, substantially similar to garment 100. As FIG. 6 shows, however, garment 200 additionally includes a first lateral support 250 and a second lateral suppot 252. As FIG. 6 shows, first lateral support 250 and second lateral suppot 252 are spaced from one another at a distance selected to retain a leg guard 292 in a substantially stable horizontal position. More precisely, first lateral support 250 and second lateral suppot 252 are spaced at a distance slightly greater than the width of a common strapless soccer shin guard. Because first lateral support 250 and second lateral suppot 252 are spaced at this distance, they are configured to snugly fit leg guard 292 within sheath 290 in a substantially stable horizontal position.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, an additional or alternative example of a leg protecting garment, garment 300, will now be described. Garment 300 shares many similar or identical features with garment 100. As a result, this disclosure does not redundantly describe each and every feature of garment 300 in detail. Rather, the reader should reference the discussion of garment 100 and other disclosed garments for details of common features between garment 300 and other disclosed garments.

As FIGS. 7 and 8 show, garment 300 includes an outer layer 340 and inner layer 370 that cooperate to define a sheath 390, substantially similar to garment 100. As FIG. 7 shows, however, garment 300 additionally includes a second inner layer 380 that extends from inner layer 370 toward a user's leg. As FIG. 7 illustrates, second inner layer 380 cooperates with inner layer 370 to define a second sheath 395 between them. By providing second sheath 395, garment 300 is designed to support leg guards of a variety of sizes. As FIG. 8 shows, inner layer 370 and second inner layer 380 are connected to the immediately adjacent layer by a length of stitching, substantially similar to inner layer 170.

Further, inner layer 370 extends to a vertical position aligned with the upper portion of outer layer 340. By including a larger inner layer 370, garment 300 may be better configured to support larger leg guards.

With reference to FIGS. 9-11, an additional or alternative example of a leg protecting garment, garment 400, will now be described. Garment 400 shares many similar or identical features with garment 100. As a result, this disclosure does not redundantly describe each and every feature of garment 400 in detail. Rather, the reader should reference the discussion of garment 100 and other disclosed garments for details of common features between garment 400 and other disclosed garments.

As FIGS. 9-11 illustrate, garment 400 includes an outer layer 440 and inner layer 470 that cooperate to define a sheath 490, substantially similar to garment 100. Like garment 300, garment 400 includes a second inner layer 480 extending from inner layer 470. Like second inner layer 380, second inner layer 480 cooperates with inner layer 470 to define a second sheath 495.

Unlike second inner layer 380, however, second inner layer 480 extends from inner layer 470 at a position above where inner layer 470 and outer layer 440 meet. Also unlike second inner layer 380, second inner layer 480 extends away from a wearer's leg. The configuration of inner layer 470 and second inner layer 480 allows garment 400 to support leg guards of various sizes. Further, the configuration of inner layer 470 and second inner layer 480 allows garment 400 to support leg guards at a variety of vertical positions on a wearer's leg.

With reference to FIG. 12, an additional or alternative example of a leg protecting garment, garment 500, will now be described. Garment 500 shares many similar or identical features with garment 100. As a result, this disclosure does not redundantly describe each and every feature of garment 500 in detail. Rather, the reader should reference the discussion of garment 100 and other disclosed garments for details of common features between garment 500 and other disclosed garments.

As FIG. 12 illustrates, garment 500 includes an inner layer 570 similar to garment 100. As FIG. 12 shows, garment 500, like garment 100, is configured to pair with a leg guard 592. Like garment 100, garment 500 is configured to retain leg guard 592 in a sheath 590 defined between inner layer 570 and an outer layer 540.

As FIG. 12 illustrates, leg guard 592 includes a fastener 579 positioned on its leg-facing side. As FIG. 12 shows, fastener 579 defines a surface area of the leg-facing side of leg guard 592, the area including a plurality of hook members of a hook and loop fastener.

As FIG. 12 shows, inner layer 570 includes a leg guard coupler 578 facing away from a wearer's leg. As FIG. 12 illustrates, leg guard coupler 578 defines a surface area including a plurality of loop members of a hook and loop fastener. Leg guard coupler 578 is configured to pair with fastener 579 of leg guard 592. When coupled, fastener 579 and leg guard coupler 578 assist garment 500 to retain leg guard 592 in a substantially stable position when leg guard 592 is fitted within sheath 590.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein. 

1. A garment to be worn over at least a portion of a leg of a user, comprising: an outer layer enclosing an interior, the outer layer extending away from a lower portion of the leg of the user; and an inner layer disposed wholly within the interior of the outer layer, the inner layer being secured to the outer layer proximate the lower portion of the leg of the user; and wherein the outer layer and the inner layer cooperate to define an sheath sized to receive at least a portion of a leg guard.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer layer is configured to: extend circumferentially around the leg of the user to receive the leg of the user; and extend to an upper portion of the outer layer above the inner layer.
 3. The garment of claim 2, wherein: the outer layer defines a lower portion fully enclosing the leg guard; and the upper portion of the outer layer defines an upper coefficient of elasticity that is greater than a lower coefficient of elasticity defined by the lower portion of the outer layer.
 4. The garment of claim 2, wherein the inner layer defines a coefficient of elasticity that is greater than a coefficient of elasticity defined by the outer layer.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner layer includes a porous material.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner layer extends circumferentially around the leg of the user.
 7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the inner layer defines: a lower portion defining a lower coefficient of elasticity; and an upper portion defining an upper coefficient of elasticity that is greater than the lower coefficient of elasticity of the inner layer.
 8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the lower portion of the sheath is sized to fully receive the leg guard.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner layer includes a substantially non-abrasive material.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein: the garment defines a sock including a foot portion attached to the outer layer proximate the lower portion of the leg of the user, the foot portion configured to receive a foot of the user; and the leg guard defines a strapless soccer shin guard.
 11. The garment of claim 1, further comprising: a first lateral support securing the inner layer to the outer layer; and a second lateral support securing the inner layer to the outer layer, the second lateral support laterally spaced from the first lateral support.
 12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the first lateral support and the second lateral support each define stitching routed through the inner layer and the outer layer.
 13. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a fastener for securing the leg guard to the inner layer within the sheath.
 14. The garment of claim 13, wherein: the fastener includes a hook member of a hook-and-loop fastener; and the leg guard includes a loop member of a hook and loop fastener.
 15. The garment of claim 1, wherein: the inner layer defines a first inner layer; the sheath defines a first sheath; and the leg guard defines a first leg guard; further comprising a second inner layer disposed wholly within the interior of the outer layer, the second inner layer being secured to the outer layer and the inner layer proximate the lower portion of the leg of the user; and wherein the first inner layer and the second inner layer cooperate to define a second sheath sized to receive at least a portion of a second leg guard, the second leg guard defining a different shape than the first leg guard.
 16. A sock for supporting a leg guard, comprising: a foot portion; an inner layer extending away from the foot portion; and an outer layer extending away from the foot portion and surrounding the inner layer, the outer layer being secured to the inner layer proximate the foot portion; wherein: the outer layer extends beyond the inner layer distal the foot portion; and the inner layer and the outer layer cooperate to secure the leg guard between them.
 17. The sock of claim 16, wherein the outer layer extends away from the foot portion proximate an ankle of a user.
 18. The sock of claim 16, wherein the outer layer is secured to the inner layer at a predetermined location selected to align the leg guard with a shin of a user when a foot of the user is received within the foot portion.
 19. A leg protecting garment, comprising: an outer layer circumferentially enclosing an interior, the outer layer: sized to fit circumferentially around a leg of a user; and configured to extend from a lower end proximate a foot of the user to an upper end distal the foot of the user; an in layer disposed wholly within the interior of the outer layer, the inner layer being affixed to the outer layer at the lower end and extending toward the upper end to define an sheath between the outer layer and the inner layer; and a leg guard removably disposed at least partially within the sheath.
 20. The leg protecting garment of claim 19, wherein the leg guard defines a strapless soccer shin guard. 